DougCo Drop – July 30 – Solid Family Fun, DougCo’s Dishing Out Dollars, and a Food Truck That’s Finger Lickin’ Good

Had a great time at the fair this past weekend, even though I almost melted away. Based on the looks I was getting, I don’t think I’ll choose the On Clouds with a Cowboy Hat look again…but, I wore the hat at the request of my nieces, so that’s my excuse for being a complete poser.

Anyways, looks like we’ll be having some light rain/thunderstorms here over the next few days, but it will be clearing up this weekend. Maybe I’ll see if I can swing getting out to the Polo Club for their Sunday Funday, since it looks like it’ll be a nice day. Info on that below.

Saddle Up

🎤 Music & Concerts

🎤 2025 Discovery Park Summer Concert: "Make Me Smile" (A Tribute to Chicago) Performed by Groove 'N Motion 
 📅 Date: Thursday, July 31
 ⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
 📍 Location: Discovery Park, Parker
 🎤 Detail: A tribute show to one of the greatest rock bands, Chicago.

🎤 HRCA Summer Concert Series: Phillip Lamar & Paizley Park 
 📅 Date: Thursday, July 31
 ⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
 📍 Location: Highland Heritage Regional Park, Highlands Ranch
 🎤 Detail: Tribute to Prince.

🎤 First Fridays Concert: Disco Revue 
📅 Date: Friday, August 1
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 📍 Location: Festival Park, Castle Rock
 🎤 Detail: Iconic hits. Killer vocals. Sequins for days. This is more than a band. It’s a disco spectacle.

🎤 Live Music: Groove 'N Motion 
 📅 Date: Friday, August 1
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia
 🎤 Detail: A precise 5-piece horn section, a dynamic 5-piece rhythm section, and five vibrant vocalists.

🎤 Live Music: Fitz and the Tantrums 
 📅 Date: Wednesday, July 30
 ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
 📍 Location: Brothers Bar & Grill, Lone Tree
 🎤 Detail: Multi-platinum artists with energized popular music and culture.

🎤 Live Music: Bunny Blake 
 📅 Date: Friday, August 1
 ⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Brothers Bar & Grill, Lone Tree
 🎤 Detail: Influenced by the vocals of Mariah Carey and Mary J Blige.

🎤 Live Music: Jordan Yewey 
 📅 Date: Saturday, August 2
 ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
 📍 Location: Brothers Bar & Grill, Lone Tree
 🎤 Detail: Boisterous vocals and engaging acoustic sets.

🎤 Live Music On the Patio: Rhett Haney 
 📅 Date: Thursday, July 31
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
 📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
 🎤 Detail: Country music at its finest.

🎤 Live Music On the Patio: Stone Beat Invasion 
 📅 Date: Friday, August 1
 ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
 📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
 🎤 Detail: Rolling Stones and Beatles Tribute.

🎵 Rock the Mountain Concert Series: D'Lovelies
 📅 Date: Saturday, August 2
 ⏰ Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Outlets at Castle Rock
 🎵 Detail: Good vibes, great music, and tasty food trucks.

🎤 Rock the Mountain Concert Series: Jax Jordening
 📅 Date: Sunday, August 3
 ⏰ Time: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Outlets at Castle Rock
 🎤 Detail: Enjoy music, food trucks, and a great atmosphere.

🎷 Jazz in the Park
 📅 Date: Wednesday, July 30
 ⏰ Time: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
 📍 Location: Festival Park, Castle Rock
 🎷 Detail: Summer evening jazz outdoors.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family

🎬 Voter's Choice: The Sandlot Showing at Backcountry Outdoor Movie Series
 📅 Date: Saturday, August 2
 ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
 📍 Location: Backcountry Base Camp, Littleton
 🎬 Detail: Bring your popcorn, chairs, and cozy blankets for a magical night at the movies.

🐝 Parker Honey Festival 
📅 Date: Sunday, August 3
⏰ Time: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
 📍Location: O’Brien Park, Parker
 🐝Detail: Raising awareness and appreciation for honeybees through vendors, local beekeepers, and beekeeping organizations.

🐶 Summer Health Expo 
📅 Date: Saturday, August 2
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
 📍Location: The Pet Stuff Place, Castle Rock
 🐶Detail: An empowering and educational event to support your pet’s health naturally.

👠 Fashion Model Search 
📅 Date: Saturday, August 2
⏰ Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
 📍Location: Outlets at Castle Rock
 👠Detail: Model selection for future TV segments with participants 5 years of age or older.

🎉 Family Fun Fridays 
 📅Date: Friday, August 1
 ⏰Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
 📍Location: Outlets at Castle Rock
 🎉Detail: Kid-friendly activities, live performances, and entertainment.

🧘‍♀️ Fitness

💪 Free Fitness Fridays | Zumba with Van 
 📅 Date: Friday, August 1
 ⏰ Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
 📍 Location: Amphitheater at Miller Park, Castle Rock
 💪 Detail: Great workout in fresh air for all fitness levels.

🧘‍♀️ Yoga in the Park 
 📅 Date: Sunday, August 3
 ⏰ Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
 📍 Location: Amphitheater at Miller Park, Castle Rock
 🧘‍♀️ Detail: Focusing on awareness, breathing, and stillness outdoors.

🥾 Petrified Wood Hike 
 📅 Date: Saturday, August 2
 ⏰ Time: 9:00 AM
 📍 Location: Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia
 🥾 Detail: A short, rugged hike through Colorado’s largest Petrified Forest.

🚵 HRCA Badlands Circuit 
 📅 Date: Wednesday, July 30
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Red-Tail Park, Highlands Ranch
 🚵 Detail: A mountain bike race for racers of all abilities.

🧘‍♀️ Free Yoga in the Park 
 📅 Date: Saturday, August 2
 ⏰ Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
 📍 Location: Civic Green Park, Highlands Ranch
 🧘‍♀️ Detail: Yoga for adults of all skill levels.

🎨 Arts & Culture

🛡️ Colorado Renaissance Festival
 📅 Date: Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3
 ⏰ Time: All Day
 📍 Location: Renaissance Festival Grounds, Larkspur
 🛡️ Detail: A 16th Century Medieval Amusement Park with shows, food, and more.

🏞️ Active Minds: Exploring UNESCO's Heritage Sites 
 📅 Date: Wednesday, July 30
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
 📍 Location: Douglas County Libraries-Castle Pines, Castle Pines
 🏞️ Detail: Join Active Minds to trace the origin and extension of World Heritage Sites and take a tour of a few highlights.

🎨 PAG Art Exhibit: What's So Funny? 
 📅 Date: Saturday, August 2
 ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
 📍 Location: The Schoolhouse, Parker
 🎨 Detail: Highlighting artwork that playfully challenges norms and embraces the absurdity of life.

🍽️ Food & Drink

🍓 Larkspur Farmers' Market
 📅 Wednesday, July 30
 ⏰ 3:00 PM–7:00 PM
 📍 Larkspur Community Park, Larkspur
 🍓 Detail: Fresh produce, artisanal products, and live music.

🥒 Parker Farmers' Market on Main Street 
 📅 Date: Sunday, August 3
 ⏰ Time: 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
 📍 Location: Main Street, Parker
 🥒 Detail: Local produce and handmade goods.

🍅 Castle Rock Farmers' Market  
 📅 Date: Sunday, August 3
 ⏰ Time: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
 📍 Location: Festival Park, Castle Rock
 🍅 Detail: Fresh produce and handmade products.

 🥕 Highlands Ranch Farmers’ Market 
 📅 Date: Sunday, August 3
 ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
 📍 Location: HR Town Center, Highlands Ranch
 🥕 Detail: Colorado-grown produce, local vendors, and artisan goods

🍹 Nightlife & Entertainment

 🏇 Denver Polo Club Sunday Funday
  📅 Date: Sunday, August 3
 ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM
 📍 Location: Denver Polo Club, Sedalia
 🏇 Detail: Enjoy thrilling polo matches, tailgate parking, an outdoor bar by Wide Open Saloon, and more! This week is Disco Sunday!

 💒 Murder & Mystery - Till Death Do Us Part 
 📅 Date: Saturday, August 2
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM
 📍 Location: Cherokee Ranch & Castle, Sedalia
 💒 Detail: Delectable cuisine, stationary castle tours, and a murder mystery to solve.

 🎤 Karaoke with Avery Every Wednesday! 
 📅 Date: Wednesday, July 30
 ⏰ Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
 📍 Location: Tailgate Tavern & Grill, Parker
 🎤 Detail: Fun and exciting singers with mixes of dance sets.

 🏆 Wild Goose Corn Hole 
 📅 Date: Wednesday, July 30
 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 📍 Location: Wild Goose Saloon, Parker
 🏆 Detail: 4 games rounders into double elimination bracket.

Hometown Headlines

World’s Largest Wildlife Overpass Nears Completion in Douglas County
TLDR: Colorado’s Greenland Wildlife Overpass, poised to become the largest in the world, is set to open by the end of 2025—$10 million under budget and ahead of schedule. Spanning six lanes of I-25 and connecting 54 square miles of open space, the 80,000-square-foot structure aims to dramatically reduce animal-vehicle collisions in a high-risk area. Funded in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the overpass protects key wildlife like elk, mule deer, and pronghorn, and serves as a national model for conservation-minded infrastructure.

Douglas County Breaks Ground on Nation’s First County-Run Biochar Facility
TLDR: Douglas County is leading the way in wildfire mitigation and sustainable waste management with the first county-owned biochar facility in the U.S., now under construction in Sedalia. Opening in 2026, the site will convert wildfire slash and other organic waste into biochar—a carbon-rich, soil-enhancing product that also helps reduce carbon emissions. Backed by a $3M investment, the facility aims to expand fire mitigation efforts, lower costs, and eventually serve as a drop-off site for electronics, hazardous waste, and more. Officials say the project could pay for itself in under 9 years.

Douglas County Greenlights Controversial $400K Planning Contract for Sterling Ranch Sports Mega-Complex ‘Zebulon’
TLDR: Douglas County commissioners have approved a $410K contract to begin planning Zebulon, a proposed 500-acre mega sports complex in Sterling Ranch, despite community concerns over costs, location, and environmental safety. The public-private project promises world-class amenities like ice rinks, indoor courts, and a covered baseball dome, but critics argue it diverts parks and open space tax dollars to subsidize a competitive, private-use facility. The site—formerly a DuPont dynamite plant—has a history of contamination. While county officials say remediation is complete, others worry about hidden environmental risks. Zebulon’s backers claim it could generate $1B in economic impact, but residents remain divided, especially as funding details remain vague. Groundbreaking is expected this fall.

Cherokee Ranch & Castle Gets $575K in Sales Tax Funding (partner website)
TLDR: One of Douglas County’s most iconic landmarks is getting a major boost, with $575K in sales tax funding approved for repairs and a preservation assessment. As part of the agreement, the Foundation will add two board seats appointed by County Commissioners. This public support, combined with a $250K private grant, will help preserve a piece of the county’s historic heart.

Article opens in Castle Rock Crew, a partner newsletter — free subscription required to read.

Camping Nixed at Sandstone Ranch After Community Pushback and Wildfire Concerns
TLDR: Following public feedback and wildfire risk assessments, Douglas County has officially scrapped plans to allow camping at Sandstone Ranch. While 65% of residents supported camping in general, concerns over fire danger made the location a non-starter. Commissioners emphasized safety and pledged to explore better-suited areas through a citizen-led task force. Officials say this is not the end of camping conversations—just a commitment to finding the right place. Stay tuned for future input opportunities on the county’s open space strategy.

Broncos Lock Down Star WR: Courtland Sutton Signs 4-Year, $92M Extension
TLDR: The Denver Broncos have secured their WR1 for the long haul, inking Courtland Sutton to a 4-year, $92 million extension, per Ian Rapoport. The deal, which averages $23M/year, ties Sutton with Calvin Ridley as the NFL’s 18th-highest paid receiver. Sutton—who posted a career-high 81 catches and 1,081 yards last season—has been Denver’s most reliable weapon and now enters his seventh season poised to lead a young receiver room. With Bo Nix under center and Sutton healthy and paid, Broncos fans can expect big things from No. 14 in 2025.

Tried & True

🥩 Tried & True: Woodhill Small Batch BBQ

I finally get the hype.

After hearing folks rave about Woodhill Small Batch BBQ for months, I got my first taste at the Douglas County Fair — and let’s just say, it lived up to the chatter.

I grabbed a two-meat, one-side plate for lunch: brisket, smoked sausage, and slaw (which came with a soft roll). I also did a little sauce tour — Carolina, Kansas City, and Memphis Sweet. The winning combo? Memphis Sweet + sausage. Just the right balance of sweet and spicy.

The slaw? Generous. Easily double the size I got at another local joint recently.

Everyone I was with ordered something different — pulled pork sandwich, chicken sandwich (you can add slaw on top for $1). Plenty of options for kids too — hot dogs, smoked mac & cheese, and Goldfish as a side. And yes, they even had Capri Sun — love that.

According to Keith & Jodi, the husband-wife duo behind the truck, the brisket and beef ribs are Texas-style — everything else is their own bold, smoky, inventive spin. Like their jalapeño-studded “Shameful Ribs,” which they claim aren’t even Tex-Mex… but are kinda totally Tex-Mex.

They’ve been slinging BBQ since 2015 (official truck roots in 2017), and they’re based right here in Douglas County — so you’ll spot them all over the place: community events, brewery pop-ups, even parked outside local offices from time to time. They make their way across the county and even up into Aurora. Check their calendar to see when they’ll be near you.

Thinking about catering for an event? They do that too — and they don’t mess around.
Email them or fill out a form online.

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